The Real Deal New York

Fresh look as ground broken on greenway at Freshkills Park

Construction started on the new Springville Greenway, a 3.3-mile path for bikes and pedestrians that will run along Staten Island’s Richmond Avenue.

The greenway is part of the develoment of Freshkills Park, a former landfill that is being transformed into park space and will connect the bike lane on Arlene Street to the LaTourette Bike Path. Benches and bike racks will be installed along the path.

“This place will be an incredible amenity,” Eloise Hirsh, the Freshkills Park administrator, told DNAinfo. “There is a new face to the green side of Richmond Avenue.”

Staten Island Borough President James Oddo said he hopes the new greenway, with connection to the islands other bikelanes, will mean a healthier, more active lifestyle for many.

“An island in motion, that’s what we want to emphasize,” Oddo told DNA. “We want to get people in motion in this borough anyway we can.”

A $7.8 million Federal Highway Administration grant, with matching funds from the city, funds the new greenway, which is expected to be completed in 2015. [DNAinfo]— Claire Moses